Horry County officials have unveiled the winners of the county’s first annual high school video contest and the top three were all from Myrtle Beach High School.

The objective of the contest was for Horry County high school students to create local history-related videos telling the story of a building or site within the county.

First place went to Natalie Horstemeyer and Madison Isemah for a look at the history of the Socastee Swing Bridge; second place went to Tyler Berkey and Rachel Berkey for their look at the Rivoli Theatre; and third place went to Phillip Elvis for a history of the Ocean Forest Hotel.

The winning videos will be seen by the student body as a whole Friday morning at 10:15 a.m., according to Myrtle Beach High School officials. Members of the Horry County Planning and Zoning department, which oversaw the contest, will be on hand to present the top three winners with their prize money.

Adam Emrick, with Planning and Zoning, said his office received a total of 10 entries. One was disqualified because the subject property wasn’t in Horry County.

Emrick said the criteria judges looked for – beyond the subject of the video being in Horry County – were the property had to be at least 50 years old and the video could last no more than three minutes.

“We weren’t sure what we were going to get, and we were all very, very pleased,” he said.

He’s hoping they’ll have even more entries when the contest returns next year.

Animal shelter offering special holiday adoption rates

Those looking to bring a furry companion home for the holidays can find special adoption rates throughout December at the Horry County Animal Care Center.

Through Dec. 8, all cats can be adopted for just $20, according to a press release. From Dec. 8 through Dec. 15, all dogs can be adopted for $40. Then, from Dec. 15 through Dec. 21, cats be adopted for $20 and dogs for $40.

For more information, contact the Horry County Animal Care Center, at 915-5172.

Horry County Memorial Libraries to close for staff meeting

All branches of the Horry County Memorial Library will close at 1 p.m. on Dec. 13 for a staff meeting.

For more information, call 248-1544.

County offices to close for Christmas

All Horry County offices, other than public safety, will be closed Dec. 24 through Dec. 26 in observance of Christmas. Regular courts may be in operation in the Horry County Government and Justice Center and all jurors, witnesses and others will be required to attend.